Black/white mixed kids being called monkeys?

My DH is west African, and after moving to Canada was surprised to hear people (including me!) refer to little kids and babies as Monkeys or little monkeys. This will be a big no-no in our home. He has also said no monkey decor or clothing.

Do any of you as the white partner have a black partner who feels like my husband does?

Do any if you as the black partner have issues with your LO being called monkey or wearing monkey clothes?

Comments (51)

I don't have major issues with monkeys, as an African American, but I certainly understand why you're husband would be upset. I think in the past it was a way to call blacks sub human. Like, monkeys can be taught to act like humans but are still animals. Either way, it can certainly still be an offensive term, but I have a friend who is white who called her baby her little monkey. She didnt mean it in a derogatory way, as I'm sure you didn't, but with your child being part black it takes on a whole new connotation. I call my bun in the oven my love bug:). Hope that helps!!

My AA husband calls our 4 month old monkey all the time since he was concieved and alot of his things have a monkey or 2 on them. Maybe in Africa its different but we live in America and haven't gotten any slack for this as of yet.

Im white and from Canada and really haven't heard that is was a racist term.

My husband has a big problem with the monkey decor and clothing that a lot of boy things have these days. I tried to exlain to him that it's the "in" thing...I have even started seeing monkeys on a lot of baby girl clothes and bedding lately. He said no way to any monkey decor in the nursery but was ok with a few outfits with monkeys on them. He did speak to some of our other married friends to get their advice on it. He just thinks a bi-racial child should have no reference to a monkey because he considers it racist. I can see his point.

I never even thought of that!!! My hubby used to have bananas thrown on the basketball court in High school where he played. But for some reason with this baby I am obsessed with having monkeys and it has nothing to do with my babys color but everything to do with I think they are freaking adorable. now I am starting to feel bad... My DH has not said a word and kinda teases me becuase I am so obsessed with monkey/giraffe things for the baby...But then again he calls us a Panda couple because we are white and black and he says we always get sat in the corner like a zoo exhibit. It has kinda become our little inside joke.

I've always called our son monkey, because he has long little arms that he swings around. My husband is also African. Now if someone calls him a monkey when he's 6 (and not climbing on the jungle gym) that will be different. It's a term of endearment, and in no way carries racial overtones. I know lots of people that call their babies monkey black, white, whatever, I don't do it because he's black. Nor would I.

It's just the connotation associated with it in regards to how racist people use to refer to people of African descent, terms like primative, baboons, monkey, ape were used as a way to insult their intelligence levels and of course their are racists that still use it. But I assume that your average white parent doesn't think like that, so I can see why it's no big deal to you. I guess scars run deep, and although I think it doesn't bother me, I just don't buy the trendy monkey stuff for amaria, mostly because I don't like the stylized abstract thing, but she's got curious george books......

I use it as a term of endearment because my LO has always been obsessed with bananas, and he loves to climb. My husband (black) has never taken issue to it- though we've never discussed it because it had frankly never occured to me that it was a discussion to be had.

However, if it did make my husband uncomfortable, I would respect that and stop using the term.

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